Richard Farrant Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Richard, over here, the "authorities" are quite happy to take the MOD Form 654 with "year into service" as at least the year of manufacture rather than a build certificate. Robin Robin, This is not Canada, an potential buyer specifically asked about this date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protruck Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Hi Richard. Not sure if you have read this. http://www.dodge50.co.uk/rb44-story-1.html If you contact Reynolds Boughtons ( 01283 711 771 ) and ask for there technical dept. they maybe able to help with the Qty's built before the end of 1989 and maybe able to give you the start of the chassis numbers for the 10 evaluation vehicles and numbers for the first contract of three. I know there was a lot of the RB44's built at Amersham, which is no longer there. hopefully there records all went to head office. Hope this helps. Clive Edited July 17, 2011 by protruck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolkboatman Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 hi witham has an rb44 with coms body an its raf its in the tender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Hi Richard. Not sure if you have read this. http://www.dodge50.co.uk/rb44-story-1.html If you contact Reynolds Boughtons ( 01283 711 771 ) and ask for there technical dept. they maybe able to help with the Qty's built before the end of 1989 and maybe able to give you the start of the chassis numbers for the 10 evaluation vehicles and numbers for the first contract of three. I know there was a lot of the RB44's built at Amersham, which is no longer there. hopefully there records all went to head office. Hope this helps. Clive Thanks Clive, just spotted this, I will forward details to my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Depending on how you have registered you're RB44 if it has to go to a local VOSA station to be MOT'D don't forget to claim the Tacho exemption as a non working vehicle. Section 4 on the form I'm led to believe by VOSA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63-KF-89 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I have had an enquiry from a friend overseas who wants to buy a RB44, but due to import regulations needs to buy an early one, ie 1989. Apparantly, the first ones were built in 1989 and those being disposed of through Withams at present are 1991-2. Can anyone say for sure when they were built for the army and how they can be dated? I know the military data plate does not show year of manufacture. The prototypes were registered on C plates which was 1986. I worked at The Bell lane Factory from 1980 to 1988 my claim to fame being that I prototyped the oil cooler mounting brackets to mount it behind the headlamp apperture on these vehicles. When I left in the summer of 1988 the contract was still not finalised as far as I am aware so the earliest vehicles may well be 1989. I seem to remember that some vehicles were run off on the Renault Dodge plant at Luton as they were going to manufacture the RB44 along with the Dodge 50 as Boughton did not have the capacity to make the numbers required by the MOD. As I know army registrations with KE in the middle are from1985 and KF 1986 I would guess a KH/KJ registered vehicle would be about the age you are looking for. As an aside I never understood the braking issue with these. I remember a day spent on Bovingdon airfield with Andy Jefferies from the Quality control department doing Brake testing with a fully laden trailer. It pulled up dead straight in a cloud of rubber smoke every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrykins Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Slightly off the thread but possibly of interest. I was involved with a civilian RB44 fitted with an R-R commercial version of the then motor car engine. It was modified to incorporate a shielded ignition system, a deep sump arrangement developed on the old B range tilt test rig and fitted with a Solex 48NIPP (I think) carburettor common to the B81. It was supplied coupled to a commercial version of the GM400 gearbox. The prototype vehicle was fitted with weights to simulate a 200 gal water tank and a hamper containing typical fire fighting gear. If my memory serves me right the vehicle was fitted with disc brakes at the sharp end and it went rather well, likewise it handled and stopped equally well. In fact it was a joy to drive. It was demonstrated to a number of UK fire services (who preferred to buy the hideously long GM pick up 4x4 fire vehicle conversions, which struck me as monstrously useless devices but less costly and of dubious potential life). Ultimately only two RB44 were sold and were fitted with similar R-R engine and transmission, however the Solex carb was dropped in favour of the standard R-R motor car Petrol Injection set up, which resulted in mamouth improvement of economy, emissions, performance etc.. I have photos of both types and the tilt test rig in action, but I doubt I'll master loading them up onto the blog. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoggyDriver Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 The prototypes were registered on C plates which was 1986. I worked at The Bell lane Factory from 1980 to 1988 my claim to fame being that I prototyped the oil cooler mounting brackets to mount it behind the headlamp apperture on these vehicles. When I left in the summer of 1988 the contract was still not finalised as far as I am aware so the earliest vehicles may well be 1989. I seem to remember that some vehicles were run off on the Renault Dodge plant at Luton as they were going to manufacture the RB44 along with the Dodge 50 as Boughton did not have the capacity to make the numbers required by the MOD. As I know army registrations with KE in the middle are from1985 and KF 1986 I would guess a KH/KJ registered vehicle would be about the age you are looking for. As an aside I never understood the braking issue with these. I remember a day spent on Bovingdon airfield with Andy Jefferies from the Quality control department doing Brake testing with a fully laden trailer. It pulled up dead straight in a cloud of rubber smoke every time. I think you will find KD is a 1986 number as my Bedford is KD and that's 1986. KE = 1987 KF = 1988 KG = 1989 KH = 1990 KJ = 1991 KL = 1992 - We have trucks at work that are KL and these are 1992. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 All is not so simple, and you seem to have some error in any case, I have not seen a good listing of the Fiscal Year dates.. It depends where the "Fiscal year" starts / finishes. It was not always Jan to Dec. eg. With Land Rovers :- Generally KE would be 1985 The 1986 fiscal year - started from Jan. 1986 - so all KF would be 1986 (most probably) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63-KF-89 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 My 90 is KF declared manufactured 1986 and my Sankey is KE declared manufactured 1985. i know its not an exact science though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63-KF-89 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Got fed up trying to get the scanner to work now but hopefully here is a page from the sales brochure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner925 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I have an RB44 and love it, i have had a 101 and a 2a ambulance and also a step through Commer ambulance. This is my favourate so far. I also have a light wei:cool2:ght and never thought i would prefer this to a Landrover but it great i would recommend them to anybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon stolly Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 has anyone got a wiring diagram for RB44...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 has anyone got a wiring diagram for RB44...? I might have I'll have to look through the manuals I'll let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhughes Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Any recommendations as where to get RB 44 parts? i'm doing some work on one for a mate and will need a front propshaft. ta :cry: j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downforce Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I might have I'll have to look through the manuals I'll let you know Hi ferrettkitt - did you find a wiring diagram? I also am looking for one if you have it DF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downforce Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Any recommendations as where to get RB 44 parts? i'm doing some work on one for a mate and will need a front propshaft. ta :cry: j There was a new one on ebay recently (search completed listings to see if it sold) Otherwise xmod might have one - they had some bits like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneck Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 David crouch recovery had 2 front props left last Friday, I bought the 3rd one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhughes Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 yes i managed to get a new crated unit, well pleased. :nut: j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Hi ferrettkitt - did you find a wiring diagram? I also am looking for one if you have it DF I'll have a look I've been away for the last week almost in the middle of nowhere no TV (argh) so on so forth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneck Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 yes i managed to get a new crated unit, well pleased. :nut: j A word of caution, I stripped my new prop-shaft to fit the rubber gaiter and found that there was only a very small amount of grease on the splines. This may be the cause of what appears to a high failure rate of the shafts. Both the new and old props had virtually no grease on them, likewise the U.J.s were virtually dry, despite having grease nipples. It seems the maintenance on my truck has been rather hit and miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhughes Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 The carden unit failed on the front prop i was working on, the cover for the cardens centre grease nipple had never been taken off or greased and as a result the total joint failed, the vehicle had only done 17,000 miles! there was a general lack of grease and oil in all the joints etc. it took a full grease cartridge to fill the props, joints etc. j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downforce Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 The carden unit failed on the front prop i was working on, the cover for the cardens centre grease nipple had never been taken off or greased and as a result the total joint failed, the vehicle had only done 17,000 miles! there was a general lack of grease and oil in all the joints etc. it took a full grease cartridge to fill the props, joints etc. j Hi Where did you need to grease specifically - I'll make sure mine is all done. PS still looking for a wiring diagram - indicators don't work :cry: DF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneck Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 On mine all the UJ's have grease nipples, but some need a narrow nozzle on your grease gun. The sliding joints on the prop shafts have grease points also. The wiring is pretty basic, might be worth checking your relays near the steering column, mine had been pinched along with all the fuses:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhughes Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 don't forget to grease the nipples on the steering TRE's and the 3 on the steering column (the top ones a bugger to get at), it really makes a difference and makes the steering lighter. :red: j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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